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21 June 2012 fea ture 23 that has given grants to a number of one-parent families to further their child’s education. I’ll miss my colleagues and friends from there and the Combined Churches and so many people in the community.” I wonder if he thinks we are going in the right direction as a community? “I think this is a better community than most. However although we don’t mix in wealthy circles, I do know there are quite a few people on this island who are just scraping by and fortunately there are the facilities out there to help them; the Waiheke Health Trust are fantastic, the doctors and voluntary Another regular ‘gig’ on Rev Stead’s calendar was officiating at the annual Blessing of the Animals service in St Peter’s Church, Little Oneroa. Right – Peter with his wife of 60 years Ngaio: sad to be leaving their beloved island. than sacramental worship like Holy Communion. Methodist churches are also organised into ‘circuits’ consisting of a group of churches under a superintendent minister and a group of circuits is termed a district, under the administration of a Chairman of District. “I spent 11 years in Palmerston North with the final half as Chairman of Hawkes Bay-Manawatu District and it was pretty busy,” says Peter. “In those days you would do two ser- mons a day on Sunday, a morning and night service and of course weddings, funerals and all the pastoral work.” Has anyone ever objected during the moment in a traditional wedding ceremony where you have to ‘speak now or forever hold your peace’? “No but if they had, I would have been duty bound to take it very seriously,” he says, daring me not to laugh, with a semiserious look. However, it did happen once that he married someone who was later discovered to be already married to someone else and that turned out to be no laughing matter. “We did think it was odd that there was no one from the groom’s side of the family in the church.” The unfortunate bride was devastated and the groom, tragically ended up killing himself with rat poison. He believes times have undoubtedly changed. “Weddings and funerals are much more inclusive of everyone now. In more traditional times, the priest or minister had to do the lot. Now especially in funerals, you have a range of people delivering eulogies and commemorations and which shares the job. And funerals have become a lot more about a celebration of life. I think it’s good.” Although he has to admit to a small twinge of professional annoyance occasionally. “I do think all church services should aim to be interesting and relevant. And there is an art to delivering the words; making the distinction for example, in prayers during the service, between addressing God as such, and then addressing the congregation. But generally I like the fact that the congregation has become so much more involved in the services in recent times.” And in a small community like Waiheke, with even smaller congregations, it must almost be a necessity that people turn their hand to everything? “Yes, we must have about 50 or 60 regular Anglican churchgoers and about 40 Presbyterians. I don’t think you could say numbers are increasing.” Long-established at the liberal end of the church, he is wary of any brand of religion that preaches intolerance or bigotry. And having lived and fought a war must change how you view things. “I was in the Army Service Corps of 2 NZEF for two and a half years. We were in Italy and Egypt and I ended up in charge of entertainment in the recreation huts.” He has recently retired as the RSA chaplain, conducting the Anzac services every year, a duty which he is going to miss, along with regular visits to the Piritahi Marae and all his connections across the community, church-related or otherwise. “I’ve been a trustee of Greenacres Trust SpecialiSt cutteR ex Servilles Now cutting on island Fridays I come to you. 022 473 0102 or 555 6812 www.richardshanksart.co.nz services, the Red Cross, Care and Craft, the New Hope Op Shop that has given more than $90,000 to community causes, and of course the marae; all communities need a marae.” And yes, they will also miss their lovely view. But their new home in Huapai – where they will be nearer their three daughters – also has a modest view. And this time, they really do plan to retire. • Rick ShankS